Regional Pest Management Plan for Taranaki - February 2018 · 2018. 2. 22. · Foreword This...

Regional Pest Management Plan

for Taranaki

Taranaki Regional Council

Private Bag 713

Stratford 4352

February 2018

Document: 1679033

The Taranaki Regional Council under Part V of the Biosecurity Act 1993 approved this document entitled

Regional Pest Management Plan for Taranaki at its Ordinary Meeting on 20 February 2018 and it became operative

on 20 February 2018.

Taranaki Regional Council

REGIONAL PEST MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR TARANAKI

Foreword

This document is the Regional Pest Management Plan for Taranaki (the Plan). Its purpose is to set out the statutory

framework by which the Taranaki Regional Council will undertake the management of pest animals and pest plants in

the Taranaki region for the next 10 years.

The Plan is the fourth plan prepared by the Taranaki Regional Council for its pest management functions. This Plan

identifies and sets out management programmes in relation to 17 ‘pest’ animal and plant species that the Taranaki

Regional Council believes warrant regional intervention.

We want to ensure that we are making the best use of resources to effectively manage the pests that are of most

concern to the environment and economy of our region.

In brief, the following highlights and significant changes are noted:

Rules relating to the control of animal and plant pests are combined within a single document;

Good Neighbour rules are included for Possums; Giant buttercup; Giant gunnera; Gorse; Nodding, Plumeless and

Variegated thistles; Old man’s beard; Wild broom; Wild ginger; (Yellow and Kahili) and Yellow ragwort. These rules

are binding on both private and Crown land occupiers;

General rules also apply for possums, Giant gunnera; Old man’s beard; Wild ginger (Yellow and Kahili); and Yellow

ragwort;

Application of rules to control Old man’s beard in the Kaupokonui and Waingongoro catchments; and

The Plan focuses on eradication or sustained control programmes (for which rules apply). Non-regulatory

programmes and activities for other harmful organisms are addressed in the Taranaki Regional Council Biosecurity

Strategy 2018–2038, which is a companion document to this Plan.

Some prioritising has necessarily been required to identify those pests that are of most concern, and which meet the

‘tests’ required under section 71 of the Act. The results of those tests are set out in the cost benefit analysis document

entitled Impact Assessments and Cost-Benefit Analyses.

On behalf of the Taranaki Regional Council I would like to thank all those who participated in the preparation of the

Regional Pest Management Plan for Taranaki. I look forward to working with you to achieve effective pest management

in the Taranaki region.

David MacLeod

Chair, Taranaki Regional Council

i

Table of contents

Introduction 1

Purpose 1

Scope and Coverage 1

Duration 1

Planning and statutory background 3

Strategic background 3

Legislative background 3

Biosecurity Act 1993 3

Resource Management Act 4

Local Government Act 4

Wild Animal Control Act and the Wildlife Act 4

Other legislation 5

Relationship with other pest management plans 5

Relationship with Māori 5

Responsibilities and obligations 7

The management agency 7

Responsibilities of owners and/or occupiers 7

Crown agencies 7

Department of Conservation 8

Land Information New Zealand 8

KiwiRail 8

New Zealand Transport Authority 8

Territorial authorities 8

Road reserves 8

Organisms declared as pests 13

Pest management framework 15

Pest management programmes 15

Objectives 15

Principal measures to manage pests 15

Requirement to act 15

Council inspection 15

Service delivery 15

Advocacy and education 16

Alternative pest management arrangements 16

Rules 16

Pest descriptions and programmes 17

Eradication 18

Climbing spindleberry (Celastrus orbiculatus) 19

Adverse effects 19

Objective 19

Principal measures to achieve objective 19

Giant reed (Arundo donax) 20

Adverse effects 20

ii

Objective 20


Madeira (Mignonette) vine (Anredera cordifolia) 21

Adverse effects 21

Objective 21


Moth plant (Araujia hortorum / A. sericifer 22

Adverse effects 22

Objective 22


Senegal tea (Gymnocoronis spilanthoides) 23

Adverse effects 23

Objective 23


Sustained Control 24

Brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) 25

Adverse effects 25

Objective 25


Giant buttercup (Ranunculus acris) 27

Adverse effects 27

Objective 27


Giant gunnera (Gunnera tinctoria; G. manicata) 28

Adverse effects 28

Objective 28


Gorse (Ulex europaeus) 30

Adverse effects 30

Objective 30


Nodding, Plumeless and Variegated thistles (Carduus nutans, C. acanthoides, Silybum marianum) 32

Adverse effects 32

Objective 32


Old man’s beard (Clematis vitalba) 34

Adverse effects 34

Objective 34


Wild broom (Cytisus scoparius) 36

Adverse effects 36

Objective 36


iii

Wild ginger (Yellow and Kahili) (Hedychium gardnerianum; H. flavescens) 38

Adverse effects 38

Objective 38


Yellow ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) 40

Adverse effects 40

Objective 40


Actual or potential effects of implementation 43

Effects on Māori 43

Effects on the environment 43

Effects on overseas marketing of New Zealand products 43

Powers conferred 47

Powers of authorised persons under Part 6 of the Act 47

Powers under other sections of the Act 47

Power to issue exemptions to plan rules 47

Monitoring 49

Measuring what the objectives are achieving 49

Monitoring the management agency’s performance 49

Monitoring plan effectiveness 49

Monitoring other effects of this Plan 49

Plan Review 50

Funding 51

Introduction 51

Funding sources and reasons for funding 51

Anticipated costs to the Council of implementing the Plan 51

General rate and investment revenue 51

Recovery of direct costs 51

Funding limitations 51

Glossary 53

Appendices 57

Appendix A: Pest Management Line 59

Appendix B: Self-Help Possum Control Programme (as at May 2017) 61

Appendix C: Plants listed in the National Pest Plant Accord List 63

iv

List of tables

Table 1: Animal organisms classified as pests 13

Table 2: Plant organisms classified as pests 13

Table 3: Powers from Part 6 to be used 47

Table 4: Indicative costs and sources of funds (exclusive of GST) 52

List of figures

Figure 1: The Taranaki Region 1

PART ONE: PLAN ESTABLISHMENT

1

Introduction

Purpose

The purpose of the Regional Pest Management Plan for

Taranaki (the Plan) is to outline the framework for

efficient and effective management, or eradication, of

specified animal and plant organisms in the Taranaki

region so as to–

minimise the actual or potential adverse or

unintended effects associated with those

organisms; and

maximise the effectiveness of individual pest

management actions by way of a regionally

coordinated approach.

Many organisms in the Taranaki region, or which could

infest the Taranaki region, are considered undesirable

or a nuisance. For some of those organisms it is

considered that a pest management plan will add

significant value to the region by providing for their

eradication or effective management, and that value

will exceed the value derived from uncoordinated

individual actions (or inaction). This Plan identifies

which organisms should be classified as pests and

managed on a regional basis.

The Plan will empower the Taranaki Regional Council

to exercise the relevant advisory, service delivery,

regulatory and funding provisions available under the

Act to deliver the specific objectives identified in Part

Two: Pest Management.

Scope and Coverage

The Plan will operate within the administrative

boundaries of the Taranaki region (Figure 1) as defined

by the Local Government (Taranaki Region)

Reorganisation Order 1989. It covers a total land area

of 723,610 hectares on the North Island’s west coast.

The boundaries of the Taranaki Regional Council

conform to those of water catchments and extend

from the Mohakatino catchment in the north to the

Waitotara catchment in the south and inland to, but

not including, the Whanganui catchment (see map

below).

The framework set out in the Plan, which focuses on

eradication programmes and sustained control

programmes (for which rules apply), is supported by

the Taranaki Regional Council Biosecurity Strategy

2018–2038, which also addresses other harmful

organisms and non-regulatory pest management

programmes undertaken by the Council.

Duration

The Plan will take effect on the date it becomes

operative under section 77(5) of the Act. It will remain

in force for 10 years from that date. The Plan may

cease at an earlier date if the Taranaki Regional Council

declares by public notice that it has achieved its

purpose. It may also cease at an earlier date if,

following a review, it is revoked.

Figure 1: The Taranaki Region

2

3

Planning and

statutory

background

Strategic background

Regional pest management in the Taranaki region sits

within a biosecurity framework, which includes this

Plan, and a biosecurity strategy entitled Taranaki

Regional Council Biosecurity Strategy 2018–2038. The

framework is underpinned by a number of supporting

actions, which either provide inputs into regional pest

management, or result from their activity. Land

occupiers and the wider community, either as

beneficiaries or exacerbators or both, complete the

partnership.

An effective biosecurity framework works both within a

region and at a national level. Neighbouring regional

pest plans and pathway management plans and

national legislation, policy and initiatives influence the

Plan, and the plans and strategies of territorial

authorities may have complementary influence. As a

result, a plan is an integral cog in a secure biosecurity

system to protect New Zealand’s environmental,

economic, social, and cultural values from pest threats.

Legislative background

Regional councils undertake local government

activities and actions under several legislative

mandates. While managing pests is not dependent on

one particular statute, its effectiveness is connected to

the purpose of a particular statute. All regional councils

in New Zealand prepare and operate regional pest

management plans under the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the

Act).

Biosecurity Act 1993

A regional council can use the Act to exclude, eradicate

or effectively manage pests in its region, including

unwanted organisms. A regional council is not legally

obliged to manage a pest or other organism to be

controlled, unless it chooses to do so1. As such, the

Act’s approach is enabling rather than prescriptive. It

provides a framework to gather intervention methods

into a coherent system of efficient and effective

1 Council officers may also enforce sections 52 and 53 of the BSA, which relate to the sale, propagation or spread of “unwanted organisms”.

2 That is, on one or more of the following: economic wellbeing; the viability of threatened species; the survival and distribution of indigenous plants

and animals; the sustainability of natural and developed ecological systems and processes and biological diversity; soil resources; water quality;

human health; social and cultural wellbeing; recreational enjoyment of the natural environment; the relationship between Māori, their culture and

traditions and their ancestral lands, waters and other taonga; and animal welfare.

actions. Indeed, section 71 of the Act sets out

prerequisite criteria that must be met to justify such

intervention. These criteria include that each subject–

is capable of causing at some time an adverse

effect on certain values;2 and

For each subject–

the benefits of the Plan must outweigh the costs, or

the consequences of inaction, or other courses of

action;

persons who are required to pay some or all of the

costs of implementation must either be

beneficiaries of the Plan or exacerbators of the

problems proposed to be resolved by the Plan;

there is likely to be adequate funding for the Plan’s

implementation; and

that each rule helps to achieve the Plan’s objectives

and does not trespass unduly on individual rights;

and

that the Plan is not frivolous or vexatious, is clear

enough to be easily understood, and

that if the council has rejected a similar proposal

within the last 3 years, new material information

answers the previous objections.

Part 5: Managing pests and harmful

organisms

Part 5 of the Act specifically covers pest management.

Its primary purpose is to provide for harmful organisms

to be managed effectively or eradicated. A harmful

organism is assigned pest status if included in a pest

management plan (also see the prerequisites in

sections 69–78 of the Act). Part 5 includes a

requirement for ongoing monitoring, to determine

whether pests and unwanted organisms are present,

and keeping them under surveillance. Part of this

process is to develop effective and efficient measures

(such as policies and plans) that prevent, reduce, or

eliminate the adverse effects of pests and unwanted

organisms on land and people (including Māori, their

kaitiakitanga and taonga). Part 5 also addresses the

issue of who should pay for pest management.

4

Part 2: Functions, powers and duties in

a leadership role

Regional councils are mandated under Part 2

(functions, powers and duties) of the Act to provide

regional leadership for biosecurity activities, primarily

within their immediate jurisdictional areas.

Section 12B(1) sets out how regional councils provide

leadership. It includes ways that leadership in pest

management issues can help to prevent, reduce or

eliminate adverse effects from harmful organisms.

Some of these activities include helping to develop and

align plans and regional pathway management plans in

the region, promoting public support for managing

pests, and helping those involved in managing pests to

communicate and cooperate so as to make

programmes more effective, efficient and equitable.

Section 13(1) sets out the powers that support regional

councils in this leadership role. These are powers to –

establish (eg, appoint a management agency for a

plan; implement a small-scale management

programme);

research and prepare (eg, gather information; keep

records; prepare a proposal to activate a plan);

enable (eg, giving councils the power to monitor

pests to be assessed, managed or eradicated); and

review (eg, not allow an operational plan; review,

amend, revoke or replace a plan).

Part 6: Administering a Plan

Once operative, a plan is supported by parts of Part 6

(as nominated in the plan) that focus on the voluntary

and mandatory actions of a regional council. For

example, a regional council must assess any other

proposal for a plan, must prepare an operational plan

for any plan (if they are the management agency for it),

and must prepare an annual report on the Operational

Plan.

Resource Management Act

Regional councils also have responsibilities under the

Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) to sustainably

manage the natural and physical resources of the

region, including the coastal marine area. These

responsibilities include sustaining the potential of

natural and physical resources, safeguarding the life-

supporting capacity, and protecting environmentally

significant areas and habitats (s5(2) and s6(c )).

The RMA sets out the functions of regional councils in

relation to the maintenance and enhancement of

ecosystems in the coastal marine area of the region

(s30(1)(c )(iii)(a)), the control of actual or potential

effects of use, development or protection of land

(s30(1)(d)(v)), and the establishment, implementation

and review of objectives, policies and methods for

maintaining indigenous biological diversity (s30(1)(ga)).

The focus of the RMA is on managing adverse effects

on the environment through regional policy

statements, regional and district plans, and resource

consents. The RMA, along with regional policies and

plans, can be used to manage activities so that they do

not create a biosecurity risk or those risks are

minimised. While the Biosecurity Act is the main

regulatory tool for managing pests, there are

complementary powers within the RMA that can be

used to ensure the problem is not exacerbated by

activities regulated under the RMA.

The Biosecurity Act cannot over-ride any controls

imposed under the RMA, for example, bypassing

resource consent requirements.

Local Government Act

The purpose of the Local Government Act 2002 (the

LGA) is to provide “… a framework and powers for local

authorities to decide which activities they undertake and

the manner in which they will undertake them”. The

LGA currently underpins biosecurity activities through

the collection of both general and targeted rates.

While planning and delivering pest management

objectives could fall under the powers and duties of

the LGA, accessing legislation focused on managing

pests at the regional level is the most transparent and

efficient approach. The Council is mandated under

s11(b) of the LGA to perform the funding function, and

s11(b) provides for Council to perform duties under

Acts other than the LGA.

Wild Animal Control Act and

the Wildlife Act

Activities undertaken in implementing this Plan must

comply with the provisions of other legislation. Two

such Acts are the Wild Animal Control Act 1977 (and

Wild Animal Control Amendment Act 1997) and the

Wildlife Act 1953. Particular relevant requirements are

noted below.

(a) The Wild Animal Control Act controls the hunting

and release of wild animals such as deer, goats

and pigs as well as regulates deer farming and the

operation of safari parks. It also gives local

authorities the power to destroy wild animals

under operational plans that have the consent of

the Minister of Conservation.

(b) The Wildlife Act controls and protects wildlife not

subject to the Wild Animal Control Act. It defines

wildlife which are not protected (eg, cattle, cats,

5

dogs), are to be game (eg, mallard ducks, black

swan), partially protected or are injurious. It

authorises that certain unprotected wildlife may

be kept and bred in captivity even if they are

declared pests under a pest management plan

(eg, stoat and weasel).

Other legislation

Other legislation (such as the Reserves Act 1977 and

the Conservation Act 1987) contains provisions that

support pest management within a specific context.

The role of regional councils under such legislation is

limited to advocacy. As regional councils have a

specific role under the Biosecurity Act, only taking on

an advocacy role would be of little use.

Relationship with other

pest management plans

A regional pest management plan must not be

inconsistent with–

(a) any national pest management plan or Plan that is

focused on the same organism; or

(b) any regulation or regulations.

Coordination with other pest management plans, and

pest control operations undertaken by the Department

of Conservation, OSPRI, Waikato Regional Council and

Horizons, will be achieved through a process based on

consultation, collaboration, and communication

between the Taranaki Regional Council and the

relevant agency. Alternative pest management

arrangements or memoranda of understanding will be

developed as required. Liaison on national pest control

matters will take place with the Ministry of Primary

Industries.

Relationship with Māori

The Act, and the Taranaki Regional Council, seek to

provide for the protection of the relationship between

Māori as tangata whenua and their ancestral lands,

their waters, sites, wāhi tapu, and taonga, and for the

protection of those aspects from the adverse effects of

pests, through the Plan. Māori involvement in

biosecurity is an important part of exercising

kaitiakitanga over their mana whenua. Māori also carry

out significant pest management through their primary

sector economic interests and as land owners and/or

occupiers.

The LGA requires the Taranaki Regional Council to

recognise and respect the Crown’s responsibilities

under the Tiriti o Waitangi – Treaty of Waitangi. It also

requires councils to maintain and improve

opportunities for Māori to contribute to decision-

making processes. This includes considering ways to

help Māori to contribute. These responsibilities and

requirements were met while preparing this Plan and

will continue after it takes effect.

6

7

Responsibilities

and obligations

The management

agency

The Taranaki Regional Council is the management

agency responsible for implementing this Plan. The

Taranaki Regional Council is satisfied that it meets the

requirements of s100 of the Act in that it–

(a) is accountable to the Plan funders, including

Crown agencies, through the requirements of the

LGA;

(b) is acceptable to the funders and those persons

subject to the Plan’s management provisions

because it implemented previous regional pest

management strategies; and

(c) has the capacity, competency and expertise to

implement the Plan.

How the Taranaki Regional Council will undertake its

management responsibilities is set out in Section 5

(Pest Management framework) and in Part Three

Section 8 (Procedures) of the Plan, and in the Council’s

Operational Plan.

Responsibilities of

owners and/or occupiers

Pest management is an individual’s responsibility in the

first instance because generally occupiers contribute to

the pest problem and in turn benefit from the control

of pests. The term ‘occupier’ has a wide definition

under the Act and includes–

the person who physically occupies the place; and

the owner of the place; and

any agent, employee, or other person acting or

apparently acting in the general management or

control of the place.

Under the Act, place includes: any building,

conveyance, craft, land or structure and the bed and

waters of the sea and any canal, lake, pond, river or

stream.

Owners and/or occupiers must manage pest

populations at or below levels specified in the rules. If

they fail to meet the rules’ requirements, they may face

legal action. In some instances, owners and/or

occupiers must report pests to the Taranaki Regional

Council. It is illegal to sell, propagate, distribute or

keep pests.

An owner and/or occupier is not able to stop an

authorised person from entering a place, at any

reasonable time, to–

find out whether pests are on the property;

manage pests; or

ensure the owner and/or occupier is complying

with biosecurity law.

While the owner and/or occupier may choose the

methods they will use to control any pests, they must

also comply with the requirements under other

legislation (e.g. the RMA and/or the Hazardous

Substances and New Organisms Act 1996.)

Crown agencies

Under section 69(5) of the Act, all land occupiers,

including the Crown, must meet ‘good neighbour rules’

within regional pest management plans, as well as

general rules. A good neighbour rule responds to the

issues caused when a land occupier imposes

unreasonable costs on an adjacent land occupier who

is actively managing a certain pest, by not undertaking

management, or sufficient management, of that pest.

This is an opportunity for the Council to promote more

integrated and effective pest management, regardless

of land tenure, and develop equity across occupiers. In

common with other land occupiers, however, the

Council may exempt the Crown from any requirement

in a plan rule upon written request (refer section 8.3 of

this Plan).

8

Department of Conservation

The Department of Conservation manages 146,973

hectares of Crown land in the Taranaki region (21% of

the total land area) under the Reserves Act, the

National Parks Act, and the Conservation Act.

The Department also has particular responsibilities and

expertise in the management and prevention of spread

of pest plants and pest animals that pose a threat to

indigenous biodiversity, including pest fish such as

Brown bull-headed catfish, under the Wild Animal

Control Act, the Wildlife Act (see section 2.2.4), and the

Freshwater Fisheries Regulations1983.3

Land Information New

Zealand

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) administers

vacant and non-rateable land, as well as 4412 hectares

of Crown Forestry Land in Taranaki4. LINZ also has

responsibility for un-alienated Crown land and surplus

railway land in the region.

KiwiRail

KiwiRail is, on behalf of the Crown, the owner and

manager of New Zealand’s railway infrastructure. There

are approximately 215 kilometres of railway line in the

Taranaki region accounting for 763 hectares of railway

land.

Kiwirail is required to control pests on land that it

administers, as set out in plan rules prescribed in Part

Two of this Plan. In individual circumstances, the

Taranaki Regional Council may, in accordance with

section 8.3 of the Plan, exempt any person from any

requirement included in a Plan rule.

New Zealand Transport

Authority

The New Zealand Transport Authority (NZTA) is the

road controlling authority for 391 kilometres of state

highways5 in the Taranaki region. The land on which

state highways lie, including those parts of road,

3 Particular pest fish are classified as “unwanted organisms” under the Act or as “noxious fish” under the Freshwater Fisheries Regulations 1983. The

regulations make it an offence to obtain or keep in captivity any mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis), or to control or spread certain pest fish as specified

in Schedule 3 including European carp, Japanese koi and Rudd. Part 8A also contains additional provisions for European carp and Japanese koi. Under

sections 52 and 53 of the Act it is an offence to sell, distribute, or release “unwanted organisms” such as Brown bull-headed catfish, European carp,

Gambusia, Japanese koi, and Rudd.

4 Comprising the Te Wera block (TNPR23/51).

5 Taranaki Regional Council 2015, Regional Land Transport Plan for Taranaki 2015/16-2020/21, p 10.

6 Taranaki Regional Council 2015, Regional Land Transport Plan for Taranaki 2015/16-2020/21, p 10.

roadway or road margin extending to adjacent

property boundaries, accounts for approximately 1,278

hectares in the Taranaki region.

NZTA is required to control pests on land that it

occupies, including all formed roads, roadways or road

margins for which it is responsible, in accordance with

the plan rules prescribed in Part Two of this Plan. In

individual circumstances, the Taranaki Regional Council

may, in accordance with section 8.3 of the Plan, exempt

any person from any requirement included in a plan

rule.

Territorial authorities

Three territorial authorities are wholly or partly

contained within the Taranaki region. They are the

South Taranaki District Council, Stratford District

Council (excluding parts of the district that lie in the

Whanganui catchment), and the New Plymouth District

Council.

Each territorial authority will be bound by the rules in

this Plan (with the exception of situations where

adjoining land occupiers of road reserves are deemed

responsible in accordance with section 3.5 below) Each

territorial authority will be responsible for meeting its

own costs of complying with this Plan.

Territorial authorities are occupiers of land (such as

parks and reserves) and are road controlling authorities

in their districts. Territorial authorities are jointly

responsible for 3,504 kilometres of local roads in the

Taranaki region.6

Road reserves

Road reserves include the land on which the formed

road lies and the verge area that extends to adjacent

property boundaries. The Act allows the option of

making either roading authorities (NZ Transport

Agency and district councils) or adjoining land

occupiers responsible for pest management in road

reserves (see s6(1) of the Act).

As such, the Taranaki Regional Council has decided

that, for the purposes of this Plan, roadside

9

responsibilities for pest animal and pest plant

management lie with the roading authorities where

they apply to ‘formed’ roads. Pest animal and pest

plant control on unformed (paper) roads occupied by

other persons are the responsibility of the person

physically occupying that land.

10

11

PART TWO: PEST MANAGEMENT

12

13

Organisms

declared as pests

The organisms listed in Tables 1 and 2 below are

classified as pests. The table also indicates what

management programme or programmes will

apply to the pest and if a Good Neighbour Rule

(GNR), applies.

Table 1: Animal organisms classified as pests

Common name Scientific name Programme GNR Page

Possum Trichosurus vulpecula Sustained control √ 25

Table 2: Plant organisms classified as pests

Common name Scientific name Programme GNR Page

Climbing spindleberry Celastrus orbiculatus Eradication 19

Giant reed Arundo donax Eradication 20

Madeira (Mignonette) vine Anredera cordifolia Eradication 21

Moth plant Araujia hortorum / A. sericifera Eradication 22

Senegal tea Gymnocoronis spilanthoides Eradication 23

Giant buttercup Ranunculus acris Sustained Control √ 27

Giant gunnera Gunnera manicata & G. tinctoria Sustained Control √

28

Gorse Ulex europeaus Sustained Control √ 30

Nodding, Plumeless and Variegated

thistles

Carduus nutans, C. acanthoides, Silybum

marianum Sustained Control √

32

Old man’s beard Clematis vitalba Sustained Control √ 34

Wild broom Cytisus scoparius Sustained Control √ 36

Wild ginger (Kahili and Yellow) Hedychium gardnerianum

Hedychium flavescens

Sustained Control √

38

Yellow ragwort Jacobaea vulgaris Sustained Control √ 40

Attention is also drawn to:

The general administrative powers of inspection and entry,

contained in Part 6 of the Act, which are available to the

Taranaki Regional Council;

The statutory obligations of any person under sections

52 and 53 of the Act. Those sections ban anyone from

selling, propagating or distributing any pest, or part of a

pest, covered by the Plan. Not complying with sections 52

and 53 is an offence under the Act, and may result in the

penalties noted in section 157(1); and

Exemptions to any plan rule may apply under Section 78

of the Act.

14

15

Pest management

framework

Pest management

programmes

One or more pest management programmes will be

used to control pests covered by this Plan. The types of

programme are defined by the NPD and reflect

outcomes in keeping with–

the extent of the invasion; and

whether it is possible to achieve the desired control

levels for the pests.

The intermediate outcomes for the programme types

relevant to this Plan are described below.

1. Eradication Programme: to reduce the

infestation level of the subject, or an organism

being spread by the subject, to zero levels in an

area in the short to medium term.

2. Sustained Control Programme: to provide for

ongoing control of the subject, or an organism

being spread by the subject, to reduce its impacts

on values and spread to other properties.

Objectives

Objectives have been set for each pest or class of

pests. As required by the National Policy Direction for

Pest Management 2015 (NPD), the objectives include-

the particular adverse effect/s (s54(a) of the Act) to

be addressed;

the immediate outcomes of managing the pest;

the geographic area to which the objective applies;

the level of outcome, if applicable;

the period for achieving the outcome; and

the intended outcome in the first 10 years of the

Plan (if the period is greater than 10 years).

Principal measures to

manage pests

The principal measures used in the Plan to achieve the

objectives are in four main categories. Each category

contains a suite of tools to be applied in appropriate

circumstances.

Requirement to act

Land occupiers or other persons may be required to

act–

(a) Where plan rules dictate pests are to be

controlled; and

(b) pursuant to restrictions under sections 52 and 53

of the Act, requiring persons not to release,

spread, propagate, sell or distribute a pest.

The Council’s powers to act through service delivery

are set out in section 5.6 of this Plan.

Council inspection

Inspection by Council may include staff–

(a) visiting properties, undertaking monitoring, or

doing surveys to determine whether pests are

present, or rules and management programmes

are complied with, or to identify areas that control

programmes will apply to (places of value,

exclusion zones, movement control areas);

(b) managing compliance to regulations (rule

enforcement, action on default, prosecution,

exemptions);

(c) taking limited control actions, where doing so is

effective and cost efficient; or

(d) monitoring effectiveness of control.

Service delivery

Council may deliver the service–

(a) by undertaking direct control to facilitate the

eradication of Climbing spindleberry, Giant reed,

Madeira (Mignonette) vine, and Senegal tea

(b) in relation to the Self-Help Possum Control

Programme;

(c) in relation to Key Native Ecosystems where the

presence of the subject threatens regionally

significant biodiversity values;

(d) by undertaking the direct control of any other

pest or harmful organism as time and

circumstances permit;

(e) by providing control tools (e.g. traps, chemicals),

including sourcing and distributing biological

agents, or provisions; and

(f) on a user pays basis.

For further information on surveillance, monitoring,

and direct control actions to be taken and eradication

targets, refer to sections 4 and 5 of the Taranaki

Regional Council Biosecurity Strategy 2018–2038.

16

Advocacy and education

Council may–

(a) provide general purpose education, advice,

awareness and publicity activities to land owners

and/or occupiers and the public about pests and

pathways (and control of them);

(a) encourage land owners and/or occupiers to

control pests;

(b) facilitate or fund community and land owners

and/or occupier self-help groups and committees;

(c) help other agencies with control, advocacy, and

the sharing or sourcing of funding;

(d) promote industry requirements and best practice

to contractors and land owners and/or occupiers;

(e) encourage land owners and/or occupiers and

other persons to report any pests they find or to

control them; or

(f) facilitate or commission research.

Alternative pest

management

arrangements

Council may develop alternative management

arrangements (i.e. management plans or memoranda

of understanding (MOUs)) with agencies to establish

agreed levels of service with those agencies, to act to

control pests on their land, or to defer enforcement

actions on rules in this Plan, in preference for

pragmatic levels of service that achieve the objectives

of the Plan.

Rules

Rules play an integral role in securing many of the pest

management outcomes sought by the objectives of the

Plan. They create a safety net to protect land owners

and/or occupiers from the effects of the actions or

inactions of others where non-regulatory means are

inappropriate or do not succeed. Importantly,

amendments to the Act arising from the Biosecurity

Law Reform Act 2012 now make the Crown bound by

those rules identified as Good Neighbour Rules in

plans.

Section 73(5) of the Act prescribes the matters that

may be addressed by rules, and the need to–

(a) specify if the rule is to be designated as a ‘Good

Neighbour Rule’;

(b) specify if breaching the rule is an offence under

the Act;

(c) specify if an exemption to the rule, or any part of

it, is allowable or not; and

(d) explain the purpose of the rule.

Rules can apply to owners and/or occupiers or to a

person’s actions in general.

The NPD and accompanying guidance notes include

extra requirements for a new Good Neighbour Rule. Of

particular note, the Good Neighbour Rule will–

(a) identify who the Good Neighbour Rule applies to–

either all owners and/or occupiers, or a specified

class of owner and/or occupier;

(b) identify the pest to be managed;

(c) state that the pest must already be present on the

owner’s and/or occupier’s land;

(d) state that the owner and/or occupier of the

adjacent or nearby land must, in the view of the

management agency, be taking reasonable

measures to manage the pest on their land; and

(e) (if relevant) state the particular values or uses of

the neighbouring land that the pest’s spread

affects, and that the Good Neighbour Rule is

intended to address.

17

Pest descriptions

and programmes

The following section describes the pests, or groups of

pests, to be managed under the Plan’s management

programmes, and their adverse effects. This section

also describes any rules that will be used to achieve the

management objectives.

For each pest listed the Act requires the Plan to

describe the objective of pest management (see

Section 5.2 above), and the principal measures used to

achieve the objectives (see section 5.3 above).

The Plan also proposes various general and Good

Neighbour Rules (see section 5.9 above), whose

contravention will be an offence under the Act.

18

Eradication

The eradication programme covers organisms which

are present in the region but infestations are limited in

size or density, or eradication is a feasible and cost-

effective solution to prevent a species becoming

entrenched, and to protect future production or

environmental values. The programme involves

regular ongoing control to reduce infestations levels

of the pests, in the short to medium term, to zero

density levels across the region and across all habitats

and properties. Taranaki Regional Council has decided

it is appropriate to be the lead agency or partner for

eradicating these pests from the region.

19

Climbing spindleberry

(Celastrus orbiculatus)

Adverse effects

Climbing spindleberry (also known as Oriental

bittersweet) is a deciduous, perennial, twining climber.

It can spread vegetatively and by birds eating the fruit

and depositing the seeds.

The plant seeds prolifically and is shade tolerant,

allowing it to establish and spread quickly, forming

dense colonies that compete with other plant species

for soil moisture, nutrients and light. Once established,

Climbing spindleberry is difficult to control and

becomes very invasive.

Climbing spindleberry represents a particular threat to

indigenous biodiversity and, to a lesser extent,

plantation forests and farm shelterbelts. It can compete

with and replace indigenous plants in disturbed or low

forest, and on forest and riparian margins. Its density

can affect the regeneration of indigenous flora, topple

and kill small trees, and suppress desirable

groundcovers. Preventing Climbing spindleberry from

becoming established will reduce the possibility of

more significant costs in the future.

Climbing spindleberry

Objective

Over the duration of the Plan eradicate Climbing

spindleberry, by destroying all infestations known at

the date the Plan becomes operative and, where

practicable, destroy any new infestations that are

identified, to prevent adverse effects on indigenous

biodiversity and production forestry values in the

Taranaki region.


achieve objective

To achieve the objective for Climbing spindleberry, the

following principal measures will be applied:

Inspection and monitoring

Taranaki Regional Council will inspect and monitor

properties with suspected or confirmed infestations

of Climbing spindleberry to establish the extent of

any infestations and to identify any remedial action

that needs to be undertaken.


Taranaki Regional Council will–

1. Provide advice and information to land

occupiers and the general public to promote

awareness and encourage the public reporting

of any infestations;

2. Provide a broad suite of general purpose

education, advice, awareness and publicity

activities to other interested parties to prevent

the introduction or spread of Climbing

spindleberry; and

3. Undertake liaison and advocacy to promote

effective integrated pest management

Service delivery

Taranaki Regional Council will undertake direct

control of Climbing spindleberry.

20

Giant reed (Arundo

donax)

Adverse effects

Originally introduced into New Zealand as an

ornamental garden plant, Giant reed is a tall, perennial,

clump-forming bamboo-like grass with a dense root

mass and short rhizomes.

Giant reed can grow up to eight metres tall. Usually

grey-green in colour, it also has a variegated form, with

white stripes. A plume-like flower-head is produced at

the top of the stem in late summer. It is primarily

spread by vegetative reproduction, either from

underground rhizome extensions or from plant

fragments transported by water, and both stems and

rhizomes have the ability to propagate.

The plant can inhabit riparian and forest margins,

scrub-land, production and regenerating indigenous

forests and degraded pasture.

Once established it forms dense clumps, which exclude

and/or compete with other plant species for soil

moisture, nutrients and light. Giant reed represents a

particular threat to indigenous biodiversity values

along riparian, wetland and forest margins and can also

cause problems in recreational areas and by

obstructing drainage channels.

Objective

Over the duration of the Plan eradicate Giant reed

(including the variegated form), by destroying all

infestations known at the date the Plan becomes

operative and, where practicable, destroy any new

infestations that are identified, to prevent adverse

effects on indigenous biodiversity values in the

Taranaki region.


achieve objective

To achieve the objective for Giant reed, the following

principal measures will be applied:




of Giant reed (including the variegated form) to

establish the extent of any infestations and to

identify any remedial action that needs to be

undertaken.










the introduction or spread of Giant reed; and


effective integrated pest management.

Service delivery


control of Giant reed (including the variegated

form).

21

Madeira (Mignonette)

vine (Anredera cordifolia)

Adverse effects

Madeira vine (also known as Mignonette vine) is a

perennial climber arising from a fleshy rhizome. The

plant has bright green fleshy leaves, long racemes of

cream flowers from January to April, and warty stem

tubers. It can grow up to seven metres high.

Originally widely distributed as an ornamental plant,

Madeira vine has become a significant potential threat

to indigenous biodiversity values. It reproduces

through the shedding and spread of stem tubers and

each tuber is capable of generating a new plant.

Dumping garden waste or moving topsoil containing

tubers have been the main cause of the plant’s spread.

The preferred habitat of Madeira vine includes gardens,

forest and riparian margins, disturbed and low

indigenous forests, particularly in coastal areas. The

plant is very invasive and can form dense colonies,

which exclude and/or compete with other plant species

for soil moisture, nutrients and light. Once established,

it is very difficult to control.

Objective

Over the duration of the Plan eradicate Madeira

(Mignonette) vine, by destroying all infestations known

at the date the Plan becomes operative and, where

practicable, destroy any new infestations that are

identified, to prevent adverse effects on indigenous

biodiversity and production forestry values in the

Taranaki region.


achieve objective

To achieve the objective for Madeira (Mignonette) vine,

the following principal measures will be applied:




of Madeira vine to establish the extent of any

infestations and to identify any remedial action that

needs to be undertaken.










the introduction or spread of Madeira vine; and



Service delivery


control of Madeira vine.

22

Moth plant (Araujia

hortorum / A. sericifer

Adverse effects

Moth plant is a rampant, evergreen vine with sticky,

white sap and twining flexible stems. It can grow up to

10 metres tall. The leaves are thick, somewhat wavy,

triangular, smooth on the upper surface and downy

underneath.

Clusters of pink-white flowers appear from December

to May, followed by distinctive thick, leathery, pear-

shaped, choko-like pods up to 10cm long and 7 cm

through. The pods contain pulp, & the pods dry & split

open to disperse numerous black, seeds with downy

parachutes that drift long distances on air currents,

establishing new infestations.

Moth plant grows rapidly and forms large, heavy, long-

lived masses. It is tolerant of shade, very tolerant of

drought or damp, wind, salt, many soil types, and

damage, but is frost tender. The seeds are poisonous

and irritant-inducing to some humans, and are not

grazed by animals.

Moth plant invades almost any frost-free habitat,

including intact and disturbed forest and margins,

tracks, coastline, cliffs, shrub lands, mangroves, and

inshore and offshore islands. It can germinate in light

wells or semi-shade inside established forest, often

long distances from seed sources, and smothers and

kills plants up into the canopy, preventing the

establishment of native plant species.

Objective

Over the duration of the Plan eradicate Moth plant, by

destroying all infestations known at the date the Plan

becomes operative and, where practicable, destroy any

new infestations that are identified, to prevent adverse


Taranaki region.


achieve objective

To achieve the objective for Moth plant, the following





of Moth plant to establish the extent of any












the introduction or spread of Moth plant; and



Service delivery


control of Moth plant.

23

Senegal tea

(Gymnocoronis

spilanthoides)

Adverse effects

Senegal tea is a perennial, semi-aquatic herb with dark

green leaves and white flowers. The plant flowers in

summer and autumn and may grow up to 1.5 metres in

height. The plant has been widely distributed as an

ornamental pond plant through the aquarium trade

and has become an extremely aggressive freshwater

weed.

It inhabits wetlands and still or flowing water and is

spread both by vegetative fragmentation and seed

dispersal. Stem fragments may be spread by water

movement, deliberate plantings or by drainage

machinery. Dispersal of seed is by water movement, or

mud sticking to animals or machinery.

Senegal tea forms dense floating mats, which can

quickly cover waterways or wetland areas causing a

number of serious and unintended adverse effects.

These include the displacement of traditional food

sources of value to Maori, particularly watercress, and

the smothering of submerged native flora species,

which affects the habitat and food source of some fish

species. Heavy infestations and the rotting of dead

plants can diminish oxygen available to fish by

reducing water circulation. They can also impede the

flow of water, causing flooding (problems with flooding

attributable to this plant have occurred elsewhere in

New Zealand), and interfering with navigation and

recreational activities.

Objective

Over the duration of the Plan eradicate Senegal tea by

destroying all infestations known at the date the Plan

becomes operative and, where practicable, destroy any

new infestations that are identified, to prevent adverse


Taranaki region.


achieve objective

To achieve the objective for Senegal tea, the following





of Senegal tea to establish the extent of any












the introduction or spread of Senegal tea; and



Service delivery


control of Senegal tea.

24

Sustained Control

The sustained control programme covers pests that,

because of their biological and pest characteristics, need to

be controlled to levels where their impacts on the economic,

environmental or social values are reduced cost-effectively

and on an ongoing basis. The programme involves the

imposition of rules and associated costs on organisations

and individuals to maintain pest numbers below, or at, a

level that addresses the negative impacts of the species on

their neighbours. The effect of the rules may apply to the

whole property, parts of the property (i.e. on its boundaries),

the whole region, or parts of the region. Exemptions to any

plan rule may apply under Section 78 of the Biosecurity Act.

Public costs are incurred through the implementation of an

inspectorial, monitoring and enforcement regime to ensure

compliance.

25

Brushtail possums

(Trichosurus vulpecula)

Adverse effects

The brushtail possum is an introduced marsupial

animal widespread throughout New Zealand. A small

to medium sized omnivore, the animal is nocturnal,

with large ears, pointed face, close woolly fur, and

bushy tail. Possums represent a major threat to the

Taranaki region in terms of their actual or potential

harmful effects on economic production and on

indigenous biodiversity values.

Their main economic impact is reduced economic

returns associated with agricultural production.

Possums compete directly with livestock for pasture,

reducing the carrying capacity of farmland and

reducing farm income. Additionally, they can be a

vector for Bovine tuberculosis, however a concerted

and considerable investment into regional control has

been successful in preventing the disease becoming

endemic in the region (one of only three regions where

this has been the case). Possums also cause substantial

damage to plantation forests, indigenous vegetation

and birds. The net overall result of possum infestations

is a reduction in the vigour, density and diversity of

native flora and fauna species.

Possum population densities within the region vary

according to the topography, vegetation and history of

control in any specific area. The highest possum

population densities lie between forest and pasture

where there is a plentiful supply of food and suitable

habitat. In those areas where the Taranaki Regional

Council has implemented the ‘Self-help Possum

Control Programme’ (SHP) (refer below and in the

Taranaki Regional Council Biosecurity Strategy 2018–

2038), possum numbers are very low and have been

maintained at these low levels for a number of years.

Possum numbers outside the Programme are

significantly higher.

Objective

Over the duration of the Plan, sustainably control

possum numbers on land within the Self-help Possum

Control Programme, and elsewhere as appropriate, to

avoid or minimise adverse effects on pastoral

production, animal health, and indigenous biodiversity

values in the Taranaki region.


achieve objective

To achieve the objective for possums, the following


Requirement to act

Land occupiers will comply with the rules specified

in this section of the Plan.

Extension programme

Taranaki Regional Council will continue to

implement the Self-help Possum Control

Programme (SHP) and provide sustained possum

control on the ring plain and coastal terraces by:

1. Undertaking initial possum control on rateable

properties that lie in an area where at least 75%

of land occupiers, covering at least 75% of the

land area targeted, indicate, or have indicated,

that they wish to be included in the SHP and

will accept land occupier obligations; and

The Self-help Possum Control Programme has been running

successfully since the early 1990s through the Council

working with land owners to facilitate possum control.

As at 30 June 2016, effective and sustained control of

possums has been achieved over approximately 241,344

hectares of farmland on the ring plain and coastal terraces.

The level of control achieved is an average 6.13% residual

trap catch - a figure well below the 10% target considered

necessary to protect pastoral production and the vegetative

canopy of remnant forests and wetlands. It has also

contributed to increased bird life. More recently, the Council

has extended its possum control activities into urban areas,

in collaboration with New Plymouth District Council.

The Council will continue to support the Self-help

programme and look at opportunities to expand the

programme (where appropriate) working in collaboration

with Predator Free 2050 Limited, as outlined in Section 7 of

the Taranaki Regional Council Biosecurity Strategy 2018–

2038.

26

2. Providing ongoing technical advice,

information, and support to land occupiers in

the SHP, including monitoring and

enforcement of rules.



properties in the SHP with suspected or confirmed

infestations of possums to establish the extent of

any infestations and to identify any remedial action





occupiers in the SHP to coordinate possum

control;



activities to other interested parties to promote

effective possum management; and


effective integrated possum management.

Service delivery

Taranaki Regional Council will –

1. Undertake additional initial direct control, as

necessary, of possums on properties in the

SHP;

2. Undertake additional initial direct control, as

necessary, on properties in urban pest control

programmes;

3. Undertake control operations of possums in

areas surrounding Egmont National Park in

conjunction with the Department of

Conservation; and

4. Undertake site-led possum control on Key

Native Ecosystems as part of an agreed site-led

response.

Plan rules requiring land occupier and other

persons to act

General Rule for the Self-Help Possum Control

Programme

A land occupier in the Self-Help Possum

Control Programme must maintain

possum numbers present on their land

to below a 10% residual trap catch.

Good Neighbour Rule

A land occupier must maintain possum

numbers present on their land to below

a 10% residual trap catch within 500

metres of their boundary:-

- to protect adjacent production and

indigenous biodiversity values; AND

- where an adjacent land occupier is

in the Self-Help Possum Control

Programme and is maintaining

possums present on their land to

below a 10% residual trap catch,

AND

- excepting any property or part of a

property east of the Self-Help

Possum Control Programme

boundary or in an urban area.

Contravention of these rules creates an offence

under section 154(N)(19) of the Act.

27

Giant buttercup

(Ranunculus acris)

Adverse effects

Giant buttercup is a rhizomatous perennial plant with

deeply segmented leaves. From early summer the plant

has yellow flowers on branched stems up to a metre

tall.

Giant buttercup is very free seeding, with the hooked

seeds being spread by water, animals and in silage and

hay. The plant’s preferred habitat is in pasture and

along roadsides, particularly in areas with high rainfall.

Sheep will eat giant buttercup, however the plant is

seasonably unpalatable to cattle so infestations of

giant buttercup can quickly overwhelm other pasture

species in dairying areas thereby reducing pasture and

dairy production. Once established in pasture, the plant

can be costly and difficult to control.

Objective

Over the duration of the Plan, sustainably control Giant

buttercup to avoid or minimise adverse effects on dairy

and beef pastoral production in the Taranaki region.


achieve objective

To achieve the objective for Giant buttercup, the


Requirement to act





properties with suspected or confirmed

infestations of Giant buttercup to establish the

extent of any boundary infestations and to identify

any remedial action that needs to be undertaken.




occupiers to promote effective control;




spread of Giant buttercup; and



Plan rules requiring land occupiers and other

persons to act

Good Neighbour Rule

A land occupier within the Taranaki

region must destroy all Giant buttercup

present on their land within five (5)

metres of their property boundary

- to protect adjacent dairy and beef

production values; AND

- where an adjacent land occupier is

managing Giant buttercup within

five (5) metres of their property

boundary.

Contravention of this rule creates an offence under

section 154(N)(19) of the Act.

28

Giant gunnera (Gunnera

tinctoria; G. manicata)

Adverse effects

All giant gunnera species and hybrids, including

Gunnera manicata and Gunnera tinctoria,7 are covered

by this Plan. Giant gunnera species share many of the

same features and are commonly mistaken for one

another.

Giant gunnera is a giant, clump-forming, herbaceous

perennial with massive umbrella-sized leaves and

stems up to two metres tall. It was a popular

ornamental garden plant used extensively in bog

gardens, however it has become invasive in several

areas of New Zealand, including Taranaki.

Giant gunnera is a very free-seeding plant with the

seeds being spread by water and birds. It represents a

particular threat to indigenous biodiversity values,

particularly in coastal, wetland and riparian areas. Once

established the plants form dense colonies that can

suppress the regeneration of indigenous flora. The

presence of Giant gunnera in Key Native Ecosystems

and other areas of high conservation value, could have

a disproportionately high impact on such areas,

possibly impacting upon rare and endangered

indigenous flora and fauna species.

Occasionally Giant gunnera causes the obstruction or

infestation of production forestry and recreational

areas.

7 Giant gunnera is also known as Chilean Rhubarb.

Objective

Over the duration of the Plan, sustainably control Giant

gunnera to avoid or minimise adverse effects on

indigenous biodiversity values in the Taranaki region.


achieve objective

To achieve the objective for Giant gunnera, the


Requirement to act






of Giant gunnera to establish the extent of any










the spread of Giant gunnera and encourage its

control; and



Service delivery


control of Giant gunnera in Key Native Ecosystems

as part of an agreed site-led response.

29


persons to act

General rule

A private land occupier within the

Taranaki region must destroy all Giant

gunnera present on their land to protect

indigenous biodiversity values.

Good Neighbour Rule

A Crown land occupier within the

Taranaki region must destroy all Giant

gunnera present on their land within

500 metres of their property boundary-

- to protect adjacent indigenous

biodiversity values; AND

- where the adjacent land occupier is

managing Giant gunnera within

500 metres of their property

boundary.

Contravention of these rules create an offence


30

Gorse (Ulex europaeus)

Adverse effects

Gorse is a deep-rooted, woody perennial shrub with

sharp spikes.

The plant may grow up to four metres in height and

has yellow flowers, which may appear all year, followed

by black seed pods. Gorse seeds are primarily ballistic

and can be ejected up to five metres from their pods.

However, the seeds can also be spread by water or

animals, or via human activities such as road works and

gravel extraction and distribution.

Gorse seeds can remain viable in the soil for many

decades. The plant’s biological characteristics and its

ability to grow almost anywhere mean that the plant

can be a serious problem over large areas, including

pasture, riparian zones, roadside margins, scrub-land,

forest margins and coastal habitats.

The impact of Gorse is principally on agricultural

production. Gorse forms dense spiny thickets, capable

of totally suppressing pasture or restricting stock

grazing in affected areas. Although Gorse does have

benefits as a nursery plant for native species, the

impacts on farm productivity, and the cost to land

occupiers to control gorse may be significant. This is

particularly the case on properties that are only

marginally financially sustainable.

Objective


Gorse to avoid or minimise adverse effects on pastoral

or forestry production values in the Taranaki region.


achieve objective

To achieve the objective for Gorse, the following


Requirement to act





properties with suspected or confirmed

infestations of Gorse to establish the extent of any

infestations and to identify any remedial action






awareness and encourage the public

reporting of any infestations;




the spread of Gorse; and



Service delivery

Taranaki Regional Council will-

1. Undertake biological control; and

2. Undertake direct control of Gorse in Key

Native Ecosystems as part of an agreed site-

led response.

31


persons to act

Good Neighbour Rule


region must destroy all Gorse present

on their land within 10 metres of their

property boundary-

- to protect adjacent pastoral or

forestry production values; AND

- where the adjacent land occupier

is managing Gorse within 10

metres of their property boundary

AND

- excepting any property or part of a

property in an urban area.


section 154(N)(19) of the Act.

32

Nodding, Plumeless and

Variegated thistles

(Carduus nutans, C.

acanthoides, Silybum

marianum)

Adverse effects

Nodding, Plumeless and Variegated thistles are largely

biennial plants.

Nodding thistle forms a large flat rosette then has

flowering stems up to 1.5 metres tall with a long fleshy

taproot. The large purple flower heads droop or ‘nod’

when mature.

Plumeless thistle is similar to Nodding thistle but grows

taller (up to two metres tall) and has smaller flower

heads that stay erect. The plants require the same

control measures. Variegated thistle is spiny and easily

recognised by cream marks on its leaves, which give it

a variegated appearance.

All three thistles are extremely invasive pasture plants

and are avoided by cattle and sheep. They will grow in

most soil types and, owing to the mixed age and size

of the plants, are difficult and costly to control. If not

controlled, the thistles form dense stands that suppress

pasture and obstruct livestock movement. Thistle

fragments and spines may also injure livestock,

damage the fleeces or hides of livestock, and may

cause ‘scabby mouth’ in lambs.

Variegated thistle matures very rapidly, seeds

prolifically, and is spread by wind and animals. It grows

best on high fertility soils in pasture, along roadside

margins, and in other unused areas. The broad leaves

smother pasture and create bare ground for its seeds

to germinate.

Objective


Nodding, Plumeless and Variegated thistles to avoid or

minimise adverse effects on dairying and sheep and

beef production in the Taranaki region.


achieve objective

To achieve the objective for Nodding, Plumeless and

Variegated thistles, the following principal measures

will be applied:

Requirement to act






of Nodding, Plumeless or Variegated thistles to

establish the extent of any infestations and to

identify any remedial action that needs to be

undertaken.








the spread of Nodding, Plumeless and

Variegated thistles; and



Service delivery

Taranaki Regional Council will-


2. Undertake direct control of thistles in Key


response.

Nodding & Plumeless

thistles

Variegated thistle

33


persons to act

Good Neighbour Rules


region must destroy all Nodding and

Plumeless thistles present on their land

within 100 metres of their property

boundary-

- to protect adjacent dairying and

sheep and beef production values;

AND


managing Nodding and Plumeless

thistles within 100 metres of their

property boundary.


region must destroy all Variegated

thistles present on their land within five

(5) metres of their property boundary-

- to protect adjacent dairying and

sheep and beef production values;

AND


managing Variegated thistles within

five (5) metres of their property

boundary.



34

Old man’s beard

(Clematis vitalba)

Adverse effects

Old man’s beard is a deciduous, woody, perennial

climber that may reach 25 metres in height. In summer

it has creamy white flowers followed by ‘fluffy’ seed

heads in autumn and winter. The plant grows in well-

drained alluvial soils and can occupy a wide range of

habitats including riparian margins, forest remnants,

gardens, and hedgerows. Wind, water and birds

disperse the seeds.

Old man’s beard is recognised as the most damaging

pest climber in New Zealand and it is a significant

threat to indigenous biodiversity values in the region. It

has the potential to infest most lowland forested areas

(750 metres or less above sea level) of Taranaki and is

particularly troublesome in second growth or damaged

indigenous forests (typical of many of the small but

important remnant areas on the ring plain).

One plant is capable of blanketing an area up to 180

square metres. The plant climbs high into the canopy,

forming a thick blanket of growth, which prevents light

reaching the support trees, eventually smothering and

killing them. Old man’s beard also prevents the

establishment of native seedlings.

Objective

Over the duration of the Plan, sustainably control Old

man’s beard to avoid or minimise adverse effects on

indigenous biodiversity and production forestry values

in the Taranaki region.


achieve objective

To achieve the objective for Old man’s beard, the


Requirement to act



Extension programme (Waingongoro Old man’s

beard programme)

Taranaki Regional Council will incrementally

implement the Waingongoro Old man’s beard

Programme to:

1. Undertake initial Old man’s beard control along

the mid and lower reaches; and

2. Provide ongoing technical advice, information,

and support to land occupiers in the

programmes, including monitoring and

enforcement of rules.




of Old man’s beard to establish the extent of any







effective control;




the spread of Old man’s beard and encourage

its control; and



Service delivery

Taranaki Regional Council will -

1. Undertake biological control;

2. Incrementally undertake initial direct control of

Old man’s beard along the Waingongoro River

south of Opunake Road;

3. Undertake direct control of Old man’s beard in

Key Native Ecosystems as part of an agreed

site-led response;

4. Investigate the undertaking of direct control

along the mid to lower parts of the Patea River.

35


persons to act

General Rule


Taranaki region must destroy all Old

man’s beard on their property, EXCEPT:

- any parts of a property that lie

within 50 metres from the middle of

the Waingongoro River south of

Opunake Road and for which the

Council has not completed its initial

control programme; AND

- any parts of a property that lie

within 50 metres from the middle of

the Patea River east of State

Highway 3.

Good Neighbour Rule


Taranaki region must destroy all Old

man’s beard present on their land within

10 metres of their property boundary-

- to protect adjacent indigenous

biodiversity values; AND


managing Old man’s beard within


boundary.


under section 154(N)(19) of the Biosecurity Act.

36

Wild broom (Cytisus

scoparius)

Adverse effects

Wild broom is a multi-branched shrub that grows up to

2.5 metres tall. The plant has bright yellow flowers

throughout October and November and these are

followed by flat, dark seed pods. The seeds are ballistic

and animals and flowing water also have a role in their

dispersal.

Wild broom seeds prolifically and can grow under a

wide variety of soil and climatic conditions. The plant is

principally a problem in pastoral situations where it

forms thickets and shades out pasture grasses,

affecting agricultural production and imposing costs of

control on the occupier.

Wild broom can also invade and modify semi-open

indigenous ecosystems such as riparian areas. In some

areas, Wild broom may affect aesthetic or recreational

values, by inhibiting access to riparian margins or

reducing indigenous biodiversity values generally.

Objective

Over the duration of the Plan, sustainably control Wild

broom to avoid or minimise adverse effects on

dairying, sheep and beef, and forestry production in

the Taranaki region.


achieve objective

To achieve the objective for Wild broom, the following


Requirement to act






of Wild broom to establish the extent of any







effective control of Wild broom;




the spread of Wild broom; and



Service delivery

Taranaki Regional Council will


2. Undertake direct control of Wild broom in Key


response.

37


persons to act

Good Neighbour Rule


region must destroy all Wild broom

present on their land within 10 metres of

their property boundary-

- to protect adjacent dairying, sheep

and beef or forestry production

values; AND


managing Wild broom within 10

metres of their property boundary.


section 154(N)(19) of the Biosecurity Act.

38

Wild ginger (Yellow and

Kahili) (Hedychium

gardnerianum;

H. flavescens)

Adverse effects

Kahili ginger and Yellow ginger share many of the

same features and, when not in flower, are often

mistaken for one another. Yellow ginger flowers are

cream coloured and are seen late autumn and early

winter. Kahili ginger flowers are lemon yellow with red

centre stamens and are seen during the late summer

and early autumn followed by red seeds. The leaves are

wider than that of Yellow ginger.

Both varieties can grow up to two metres or more and

produce many branching rhizomes, which spread

outwards and over themselves to create a rhizome bed

a metre or more deep. In addition to branching

rhizomes, Kahili ginger also produces up to 100 seeds

per flower head, making it a more prolific spreader

than Yellow ginger.

Kahili and yellow ginger are ecologically versatile plants

that are extremely difficult to control or eradicate once

established. Once popular garden plants, both gingers

are now generally considered to be insidious, and have

a significant impact on indigenous biodiversity values.

Once established in indigenous forested areas and

other habitats, the tough rhizomes form a solid web

over large areas smothering and replacing under-

storey species and seedlings. Kahili ginger and Yellow

ginger can suppress indigenous regeneration by up to

90%, however, Kahili ginger is the more invasive plant

given its seeding ability.

Kahili ginger and yellow ginger can also block streams

and drains and obstruct walking tracks, reducing access

to some recreational and conservation areas and the

aesthetic appeal of such areas.

Objective

Over the duration of the Plan, sustainably control Wild

ginger (Yellow and Kahili) to avoid or minimise adverse

effects on indigenous biodiversity in the Taranaki

region.


achieve objective

To achieve the objective for Wild ginger, the following


Requirement to act






of Wild ginger (Yellow and Kahili) to establish the

extent of any infestations and to identify any

remedial action that needs to be undertaken.





effective control;




the spread of Wild ginger (Yellow and Kahili)

and encourage its control; and



Service delivery


control of Wild ginger (Yellow and Kahili) on Key


response.

39


persons to act

General Rule


Taranaki region must destroy all Yellow

ginger and Kahili ginger present on their

land.

Good Neighbour Rule for Yellow Ginger


Taranaki region must destroy all Wild

ginger (Yellow) present on their land

within five (5) metres of their property

boundary-

- to protect indigenous biodiversity

values; AND


managing Wild ginger (Yellow)

within five (5) metres of their

property boundary.

Good Neighbour Rule for Kahili Ginger


Taranaki region must destroy all Wild

ginger (Kahili) present on their land

within 1,000 metres of their property

boundary-

- to protect indigenous biodiversity

values AND


managing Wild ginger (Kahili) within

1,000 metres of their property

boundary.



40

Yellow ragwort (Jacobaea

vulgaris)

Adverse effects

Yellow ragwort is a herbaceous biennial or perennial

with conspicuous yellow flowers during summer.

The majority of plants flower in their second season,

from December to March, followed by mature seeds a

few weeks after the first appearance of flowers. A large

plant can produce 150,000 seeds in one season. It

commonly grows 45 to 60 centimetres high.

Yellow ragwort can be a serious pasture weed, found in

pasture, riparian margins, open forests, swamps and

other habitats. Once established, the plant has the

ability to spread rapidly and invade ‘clean’ pasture

areas. It seeds freely and is dispersed principally by

wind and, to a lesser extent, by water and animals, and

in hay.

Yellow ragwort is a particular problem in dairying and

beef parts of Taranaki. Heavy infestations will reduce

pasture production, thereby reducing the carrying

capacity of dairy land, and imposing added farm

production costs on the occupier. Ragwort is readily

eaten by sheep.

Ragwort is toxic to cattle, horses and deer so they

avoid the plant and pasture nearby. This enhances the

smothering effects of the plant and further reduces

pasture utilisation.

Objective


Yellow ragwort to avoid or minimise adverse effects on

dairy or beef production values in the region.


achieve objective

To achieve the objective for Yellow ragwort, the


Requirement to act






of Yellow ragwort to establish the extent of any







effective control of Yellow ragwort;




the spread of Yellow ragwort; and



Service delivery

Taranaki Regional Council will undertake biological

control of Yellow ragwort.

41


persons to act

General Rule

A private land occupier west of the Pest

Management Line as identified in

Appendix A of the Plan must destroy all

Yellow ragwort on their land, EXCEPT:

- Any Crown land in which case

6.14.3.2 applies.

Good Neighbour Rule


Taranaki region, or land occupier east of

the Pest Management Line as identified

in Appendix A of the Plan, must destroy

all Yellow ragwort present on their land

within 20 metres of their property

boundary-

- to protect adjacent dairying or beef

production values; AND


managing Yellow ragwort within


boundary.



42

43

Actual or potential

effects of

implementation

Given its longstanding experience in pest

management, Taranaki Regional Council is satisfied

that the overall effects of the Plan will be beneficial to

the regional community. While Taranaki Regional

Council is confident that a Plan is an effective way of

managing pests, there are some aspects of the

implementation of the Plan that may have real or

perceived adverse effects.

Effects on Māori

It is hoped that pest animal and plant management

under the Plan will have a positive effect on the

relationship of Māori with their culture and traditions,

and their ancestral lands, waters, sites, wāhi tapu, and

taonga, by contributing to the protection of taonga

and mauri associated with indigenous biodiversity,

landscapes, and waterways.

Positive results stemming from the Plan can include

improved quality of traditional food gathering sites (eg

wetlands and estuaries), and improved availability of

native plant resources for food, fibre, and the purposes

of rongoā.

It is acknowledged that wild animals such as deer, pigs,

and goats are valued as replacements for traditional

hunting resources. However, none of these species are

priorities for pest control under the Plan, and therefore

the effect of the Plan on the regional availability of

these hunting resources will be minimal.

Effects on the

environment

This Plan will enhance and protect the ecological

environment including natural ecosystems and

processes, soil health and water quality, by removing,

reducing, or managing the pest species that threaten it.

The use of control tools such as toxins or traps can

negatively affect indigenous wildlife. Taranaki Regional

Council actively participates in current research and

training that aims to minimise the non-target effects of

pest control, and readily adopts best practice methods

for poisoning and trapping operations.

Enjoyment of the cultural environment will also be

enhanced where pest management overlaps with

amenity and recreational values. The economic

environment will experience some benefit as a result of

suppressing or eradicating pests that impact on

primary productivity. In addition, the tourism industry

(domestic and international) is expected to gain from

this Plan through enhancement of the natural areas

utilised by visitors.

Effects on overseas

marketing of

New Zealand products

The control of pests in areas of high natural value

(including Key Native Ecosystems), in conjunction with

the Taranaki Regional Council Biosecurity Strategy

2018–2038, should increase the recreational and

aesthetic values associated with these areas, which may

have a positive impact on international tourism.

The provisions of this Plan do not replace other

legislation or regulations relating to the use of toxins

and impacts on Māori culture and traditions, and

public health and safety. The Taranaki Regional Council

shall monitor and report on any impacts arising

through the use of toxins through systems and

processes established under the relevant legislation.

The Taranaki Regional Council will also routinely record

and report any adverse effects arising from its direct

control operations, including non-target kills.

The use of best practice methods when applying toxins

and employment of the mixed method of control

should mitigate any threat to the marketing of

New Zealand products. Moreover the volume of

exports may be improved through increased

productivity by managing pests that affect agriculture,

horticulture, and forestry.

44

45

PART THREE: PROCEDURES

46

47

Powers conferred

Powers of authorised

persons under Part 6 of

the Act

The Principal Officer (Chief Executive) of the Taranaki

Regional Council may appoint authorised persons to

exercise the functions, powers, and duties under the

Act in relation to a Plan.

The Taranaki Regional Council will use those statutory

powers of Part 6 of the Act as shown in Table 3 below,

where necessary, to help implement this Plan.

Table 3: Powers from Part 6 to be used

Administrative provisions Biosecurity Act Reference

The appointment of authorised and

accredited persons Sections 103(3) and (7)

Delegation to authorised persons Section 105

Power to require assistance Section 106

Power of inspections and duties Sections 109, 110 & 112

Power to record information Section 113

General powers Sections 114 & 114A

Use of dogs and devices Section 115

Power to seize abandoned goods Section 119

Power to intercept risk goods Section 120

Power to examine organisms Section 121

Power to give directions Section 122

Power to act on default Section 128

Liens Section 129

Declaration of restricted areas Section 130

Declaration of controlled areas Section 131

Options for cost recovery Section 135

Failure to pay Section 136

Note: The Taranaki Regional Council’s standard

operating procedures document sets out the

procedures the Council will follow when land owners

and/or occupiers or other persons do not comply with

the rules or other general duties.

Powers under other

sections of the Act

A land occupier or any person in breach of a plan rule

creates an offence under section 154N(19) of the Act,

where the rule provides for this. The Taranaki Regional

Council can seek prosecution under section 157(5) of

the Act for those offences.

A Chief Technical Officer (employed under the State

Sector Act 1988) may appoint authorised people to

implement other biosecurity law considered necessary.

One example is where restrictions on selling,

propagating and distributing pests (under sections 52

and 53 of the Act) must be enforced. Another example

is where owners and/or occupiers of land are asked for

information (under section 43 of the Act).

Power to issue

exemptions to plan rules

Any land occupier or other person may write to the

Taranaki Regional Council to seek an exemption from

any provision of a plan rule set out in Part Two of the

Plan. However, a rule may state that no exemptions will

be considered, or it may limit the circumstances to

which exemptions apply (eg, scientific purposes).

The requirements in section 78 of the Act must be met

for a person to be granted an exemption. Taranaki

Regional Council’s operating procedures must also

note those requirements in full. The requirements are:

(a) The council is satisfied that granting the

exemption will not significantly prejudice the

attainment of the plan’s objectives; and

(b) The council is satisfied that 1 or more of the

following applies:

(c) The requirement has been substantially complied

with and further compliance is unnecessary;

(d) The action taken on, or provision made for, the

matter to which the requirement relates is as

effective as, or more effective than, compliance

with the requirement:

(e) The requirement is clearly unreasonable or

inappropriate in the particular case:

(f) Events have occurred that make the requirement

unnecessary or inappropriate in the particular

case.

The Taranaki Regional Council will keep and maintain a

register that records the number and nature of

exemptions granted (including any agreed

Management Plans or alternative pest management

arrangements). The public will be able to inspect this

register during business hours.

48

49

Monitoring

Measuring what the

objectives are achieving

The Taranaki Regional Council shall monitor the extent

to which the objectives set out in Part Two of this Plan

are being achieved by:

(a) annually mapping the implementation of the

Self-help Possum Control Programme;

(b) monitoring possum population densities and

trends, over time, in areas included in the

Self-help Possum Control Programme;

(c) developing agreed collaborative monitoring,

reporting and management programmes

addressing possum control within and

around Egmont National Park;

(d) monitor, for each pest, the effectiveness of

direct control undertaken by the Taranaki

Regional Council;

(e) recording the number of public complaints

pertaining to individual pests and instances

of non-compliance with the plan rules; and

(f) recording the number of public enquiries in

relation to individual pests, including

requests for information.

(g) annually surveying at release sites and

mapping the distribution of biological control

agents.

Monitoring the

management agency’s

performance

The Taranaki Regional Council is the management

agency. As the management agency responsible for

implementing the Plan, the Taranaki Regional Council

will–

(a) prepare an operational plan within three

months of the Plan being approved;

(b) review the operational plan, and amend it if

needed;

(c) report on the operational plan each year,

within five months after the end of each

financial year; and

(d) maintain up-to-date databases of complaints,

pest levels and densities, and correspondence

from Regional Council and land owners

and/or occupiers.

Monitoring plan

effectiveness

Monitoring the effects of the Plan will ensure that it

continues to achieve its purpose. It will also check that

relevant circumstances have not changed to such an

extent that the Plan requires review. A review may be

needed if:

(a) the Act is changed, and a review is needed to

ensure that the Plan is not inconsistent with

the Act;

(b) other harmful organisms create, or have the

potential to create, problems that can be

resolved by including those organisms in the

Plan;

(c) monitoring shows the problems from pests or

other organisms to be controlled (as covered

by the Plan) have changed significantly; or

(d) circumstances change so significantly that the

Taranaki Regional Council believes a review is

appropriate.

If the Plan does not need to be reviewed under such

circumstances, it will be reviewed in line with s100D of

the Act. Such a review may extend, amend, or revoke

the Plan, or leave it unchanged.

The procedures to review the Plan will include officers

of the Taranaki Regional Council–

(e) assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of

the principal measures specified for each pest

and other organism (or pest group or

organisms) to be controlled to achieve the

objectives of the Plan;

(f) assessing the impact the pest or organism

(covered by the Plan) has on the region, and

any other harmful organisms that should be

considered for inclusion in the Plan; and

(g) liaising with Crown agencies, territorial

authorities, iwi authorities and key interest

groups, on the effectiveness of the Plan.

Monitoring other effects

of this Plan

The provisions of this Plan do not replace other

legislation or regulations relating to the use of toxins,

impacts on Maori culture and traditions, and public

health and safety. Where appropriate, the Taranaki

Regional Council shall monitor and report on any

impacts arising through the use of toxins through

50

systems and processes established under the Resource

Management Act8. The Taranaki Regional Council will

also routinely record and report any adverse effects

arising from its direct control operations, including

non-target kills.

Agencies other than the Taranaki Regional Council are

more likely to undertake monitoring and respond to

any problems under the Health and Safety in

Employment Act 1992, the Hazardous Substances and

New Organisms Act, and the Agricultural Compounds

and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997.

Plan Review

The Taranaki Regional Council may review the Plan or

any part of it, if it believes circumstances or

management objectives have changed sufficiently.

However, where the Plan has been in force for ten

years or more and the Plan has not been reviewed

within the last ten years, then the Taranaki Regional

Council must review the Plan. A review may also

become necessary if the Taranaki Regional Council or

the Environment Court considers the Plan is

inconsistent with any requirements of an operative

NPD.

A Council can make minor amendments to the Plan

without needing a review. Any minor amendment:

(i) Must not significantly affect any person’s rights

and obligations; and

(ii) Must not be inconsistent with the NPD.

A review may result in no change to the Plan, or may

extend its duration.

8 Including the Resource Management (Exemption) Regulations 2017.

51

Funding

Introduction

The Act requires that funding is thoroughly examined.

This includes the reason for, and source of, all funding.

Funding sources and

reasons for funding

The Biosecurity Act 1993 and the Local Government

(Rating) Act 2002 require that funding is sought from–

people who have an interest in the Plan;

those who benefit from the Plan; and

those who contribute to the pest problem.

Funding must be sought in a way that reflects

economic efficiency and equity. Those seeking funds

should also target those funding the Plan and the costs

of collecting funding.

Anticipated costs to the

Council of implementing

the Plan

The anticipated costs to the Taranaki Regional Council

of implementing the Plan reflect a similar level of pest

management funding to previous years. The Council

expects that the relative cost of pest management will

be similar for the duration of the Plan.

The funding of the implementation of the Plan is from

a region-wide general rate set and assessed under the

Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, and in

determining this, the Taranaki Regional Council has

had regard to those matters outlined in Section 100T

of the Biosecurity Act.

General rate and investment

revenue

Private land occupiers will contribute to the

programmes identified in this Plan through a

proportion of the general rate that is levied on every

separately rateable property in the region under

Section 33 of the Rating Powers Act 1988, and a

proportion of the Taranaki Regional Council’s

investment revenue.

Recovery of direct costs

The Taranaki Regional Council will recover costs for a

particular function or service under section 135 of the

Act. In the event that the Council incurs costs arising

from a land occupier’s failure to comply with a notice

of direction, the Council may:

recover actual and reasonable costs associated

with additional inspections for pest infestations;

and

recover actual and reasonable costs associated

with undertaking the control of pest infestations.

The amount of money recovered from direct charges

will vary from year-to-year depending on the number

of cost recovery pest plant control operations

undertaken, if any. Table 4 below sets out the

indicative income and costs for the Plan, up until

2020/2021. The figures include the effect of inflation.

Funding sources include direct charges (usually arising

from enforcement action), and a proportion of the

general rate.

The New Plymouth, Stratford and South Taranaki

district councils collect general rates on behalf of the

Taranaki Regional Council. The policies adopted by the

Taranaki Regional Council in relation to rate remissions,

postponements, and additional charges are those

adopted by the respective district councils.

Funding limitations

No unusual administrative problems or costs are

expected in recovering the costs from any of the

persons who are required to pay.

52

Table 4: Indicative costs and sources of funds (exclusive of GST)

Expenditure 2016/17

$

2017/18

$

2018/19

$

2019/20

$

2020/21

$

Biosecurity pest animal and plant

management planning, plans and

strategy initiatives, and actions

2,049,707 1,806,794 1,829,842 2,050,486 1,922,269

Total expenditure

Income:

Direct charges

2,049,707

108,250

1,806,794

110,116

1,829,842

112,104

2,050,486

114,297

1,922,269

116,631

Total income 108,250 110,116 112,104 114,297 116,631

Net cost of service 1,941,457 1,696,678 1,717,738 1,936,189 1,805,638

Funded by:

General rates and investment

revenue

1,941,457

1,696,678

1,717,738

1,936,189

1,805,638

Total Funding 1,941,457 1,696,678 1,717,738 1,936,189 1,805,638

53

Glossary

This section provides the meaning of words used in

this Plan and in the amended Biosecurity Act 1993.

When a word is followed by an asterisk (*), the

meaning which follows is the meaning provided in

section 4 [interpretation section] of the Act.

Users of this Plan are advised that they should refer to

the Act (or other relevant legislation) to ensure that the

definition included in this Plan is the current statutory

definition. In the case of any inconsistency or

amendment of the definition, the statutory definition

prevails.

Act* means the Biosecurity Act 1993.

Adjacent means, for the purpose of this Plan, a

property that is next to, or adjoining, another property.

Animal means any mammal, insect, bird or fish,

including invertebrates, and any other living organism

except a plant or a human.

Appropriate means as determined to be appropriate

by the Taranaki Regional Council or its officers acting

under delegated authority.

Authorised person* means a person for the time

being appointed an authorised person under

section 103 (Inspectors, authorised persons, and

accredited persons) of the Act.

Beneficiary means the receiver of benefits accruing

from the implementation of a pest management

measure or this Plan.

Biological control means the introduction and

establishment of living organisms, which will prey on,

or adversely affect a pest.

Biological diversity (or biodiversity) means the

variability among living organisms, and the ecological

complexes of which they are a part, including diversity

within species, between species, and of ecosystems.

Bovine tuberculosis means the state of being infected

with Mycobacterium bovis. Mycobacterium bovis is an

infectious, zoonotic, bacterial disease, characterised by

the formation of tubercle lesions on affected animals.

Crown9

(a) means her Majesty the Queen in right of New

Zealand; and

9 Public Finances Act 1989

10 Resource Management Act 1991

(b) includes all Ministers of the Crown and all

departments; but

does not include:

(c) an Office of Parliament;

(d) a Crown entity; or

(e) a State enterprise named in the First Schedule to

the State-Owned Enterprises Act 1986.

Crown land means any land occupied or owned by the

Crown, a Crown entity under the Crown Entities Act

2004, and a crown-owned enterprise under the State-

Owned Enterprises Act 1986.

Destroy, in relation to rules that apply to sustained

control pests, means an annual minimum 99% level of

control on land requiring treatment.

Direct control means pest animal or plant control

undertaken by or funded by the Taranaki Regional

Council.

Distribute, in relation to pest animals or plants, means

to transport, or in any way spread a pest animal or

plant.

District council means a district council as defined in

accordance with the Local Government Act 2002.

Effect10 includes:

(a) any positive or adverse effect; and

(b) any temporary or permanent effect; and

(c) any past; present or future effect; and

(d) any cumulative effect which arises over time or in

combination with other effects–regardless of the

scale, intensity, duration or frequency of the

effect-and also includes:

(e) any potential effect of high probability; and

(f) any potential effect of low probability which has a

high potential impact.

Endemic means a plant or animal native or restricted

to a certain place, or, in the case of wild animal

populations, means the presence of Bovine

tuberculosis.

Environment includes:

(a) ecosystems and their constituent parts, including

people and their communities; and

(b) all natural and physical resources; and

54

(c) amenity values; and

(d) the social, economic, aesthetic and cultural

conditions which affect the matters stated in

paragraphs (a) to (c) of this definition or which are

affected by those matters.

Eradicate, in relation to an organism, means to totally

clear the organism from New Zealand, or a region or

part of a region.

Eradication means to reduce the infestation level of

the subject that is present in New Zealand to zero

levels in an area in the short to medium term.

Exacerbator means a person who contributes to the

creation, continuance, or exacerbation of the problems

proposed to be resolved by a pest or pathway

management plan.

Exclusion means to prevent the establishment of the

subject that is present in New Zealand but not yet

established in an area.

Externality Impacts, in relation to pest management,

are adverse and unintended effects imposed on others.

Good Neighbour Rule means a rule that seeks to

manage the externality impacts arising from pests

spilling over from one property to a neighbouring

property that is free of, or being cleared, of that pest.

Habitat means the place or type of site where an

organism or population naturally occurs.

Harmful organism means organisms that have not

been declared ‘pests’ for the purposes of this Plan

because, although they may have significant adverse

effects, regulatory responses are not considered

appropriate or necessary.

Indigenous means native to New Zealand.

Key Native Ecosystems refers to terrestrial sites (sites

on land) identified by the Taranaki Regional Council to

have regionally significant indigenous biodiversity

values.

Management agency* means a management agency

responsible for implementing a regional pest

management plan.

Mana whenua means customary authority and title

exercised by Iwi or hapu over the general environment

within their tribal rohe.

Means of achievement means the general

management options, tactics, or technical methods by

which the Taranaki Regional Council or land occupiers

will achieve an objective or objectives.

Mitigate means to reduce or moderate the severity of

something.

Monitor, in respect of this Plan, means to measure and

record parameters that indicate the levels of

effectiveness of a certain pest management

programme.

National Policy Direction (NPD), in respect of this

Plan, means the currently operative National Policy

Direction for Pest Management.

Notice of direction refers to a notice served by

officers of the Taranaki Regional Council to note non-

compliance with a plan rule and to identify and direct

remedial action.

Objective means a statement of a desired, specific

environmental outcome.

Occupier*–

(a) in relation to any place physically occupied by

any person, means that person; and

(b) in relation to any other place, means the owner

of the place; and

(c) in relation to any place, includes any agent,

employee, or other person acting or apparently

acting in the general management or control of

the place.

Occupied has a corresponding meaning.

Operational plan means a plan prepared by the

management agency under section 100B of the Act.

Organism –

(a) does not include a human being or a genetic

structure derived from a human being:

(b) includes a micro-organism:

(c) subject to paragraph (a), includes a genetic

structure that is capable of replicating itself

(whether that structure comprises all or only part

of an entity, and whether it comprises all or only

part of the total genetic structure of an entity):

(d) includes an entity (other than a human being)

declared by the Governor-General by Order in

Council to be an organism for the purposes of

the Act:

(e) includes a reproductive cell or developmental

stage of an organism:

(f) includes any particle that is a prion.

Person* includes the Crown, a corporation sole, and a

body of persons (whether corporate or

unincorporated).

Pest* means an organism specified as a pest in a pest

management plan.

Pesticide means a substance for destroying harmful

pests.

Pest management plan and Plan* means a Plan

made under Part V of the Act, for the exclusion,

55

eradication or management of a particular pest or

pests.

Plant means any plant, tree, shrub, herb, flower,

nursery stock, culture, vegetable, or other vegetation;

and also includes fruit, seed, spore and portion or

product of any plant; and also includes all aquatic

plants.

Principal officer* means -

(a) in relation to a regional council, its chief

executive; and

(b) in relation to a region, the chief executive of the

region’s regional council;

and includes an acting chief executive.

Private land means any land which is for the time

being held in fee simple by any person other than Her

Majesty; and includes any Maori land.

Region11, in relation to a regional council, means the

region of the regional council as determined in

accordance with the Local Government Act 2002.

Regional council means a regional council within the

meaning of the Local Government Act 2002.

Road includes all bridges, culverts, and fords forming

part of any road.

Rohe means the territory or boundary that defines the

area within which a tangata whenua group claims

traditional association and mana whenua.

Rongoā means traditional Māori medicine. Rongoā is a

system of healing that was passed on orally. It

comprised diverse practices and an emphasis on the

spiritual dimension of health. Rongoā includes herbal

remedies, physical therapies such as massage and

manipulation, and spiritual healing.

Rule* means a rule in a regional pest management

plan under Part 5 of the Act.

Sale includes bartering, offering for sale, exposing, or

attempting to sell, or having in possession for sale, or

sending or delivering for sale, causing or allowing to be

sold, offered or displayed for sale, and includes any

disposal whether for valuable consideration or not and

‘Sell’ has a corresponding meaning.

“Site-led” pest programme means a management

programme for which the intermediate outcome for

the programme is that the subject, or an organism

being spread by the subject that is capable of causing

damage to a place, is excluded or eradicated from that

place; or is contained, reduced, or controlled within the

11Resource Management Act 1991.

12 Resource Management Act 1991.

place to an extent that protects the values of that

place.

Subject means-

(a) in relation to a proposal for a pest management

plan, means the organism or organisms proposed

to be specified as a pest or pests under the plan;

and

(b) in relation to a pest management plan, means

the pest to which the plan applies; and

(c) in relation to a proposal for a pathway

management plan, or to a pathway management

plan, means the pathway or pathways to which

the proposal for a plan, or to which the plan,

applies; and

(d) in relation to a small-scale management

programme, means the unwanted organism

specified in the programme.

Sustained control pest programme means a

management programme for which the intermediate

outcome for the programme is to provide for ongoing

control of the subject, or an organism being spread by

the subject, to reduce its impacts on values and spread

to other properties.

Tangata whenua12, in relation to a particular area,

means the Iwi or hapu that holds mana whenua over

that area.

Taonga means treasure, property: taonga are prized

and protected as sacred posessions of the tribe. The

term carries a deep spiritual meaning and taonga may

be things that cannot be seen or touched. Included for

example are te reo Māori (the Māori language), wāhi

tapu, the air, waterways, fishing grounds and

mountains.

Tapu means under spiritual protection or restriction.

Unwanted organism* means any organism that a

chief technical officer believes is capable or potentially

capable of causing unwanted harm to any natural and

physical resources or human health, and

Includes—

(a) Any new organism, if the Authority [Environmental

Risk Management Authority] has declined

approval to import that organism; and

(b) Any organism specified in the Second Schedule of

the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms

Act 1996; but

56

(c) Does not include any organism approved for

importation under the Hazardous Substances and

New Organisms Act 1996, unless—

(d) The organism is an organism that has escaped

from a containment facility; or

(e) A chief technical officer, after consulting the

Authority [Environmental Risk Management

Authority] and taking into account any comments

made by the Authority concerning the organism,

believes that the organism is capable or

potentially capable of causing unwanted harm to

any natural and physical resources or human

health.

Urban area means a city, town or urban settlement

that comprises a built-up area of commercial,

industrial, or residential buildings, including associated

infrastructure and amenities. An urban area also

includes low density ‘lifestyle’ residential areas, urban

parkland and open spaces, usually within or associated

with, built-up areas.

Wāhi tapu means places or things which are sacred or

spiritually endowed. These are defined locally by

tangata whenua of the Taranaki region.

Wild, in respect of deer, pigs and goats, means free-

ranging, living in a wild state.

Working day* means any day except:

(a) a Saturday, a Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Monday,

Anzac Day, Labour Day, the Sovereign's birthday

and Waitangi Day; and

(b) the day observed in the region of a regional

council as the anniversary day of the province of

which the region forms part; and

(c) a day in the period commencing on the 20th day

of December in any year and ending with the 15th

day of January in the following year.

57

Appendices

58

59

Appendix A: Pest Management Line

The Pest Management Line is used to demarcate that part of Taranaki that is predominantly intensive dairy farming land

from that part of the region where other land uses predominate. It is based on the Land Use Capability database, which

provides detail of land types across the whole country. The Pest Management Line is referred to in rules relating to

Yellow ragwort.

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61

Appendix B: Self-Help Possum Control Programme (as at May 2017)

NB: this map is indicative only. More properties may be added during the lifetime of this Plan with the agreement of

land owners who join the Programme.

62

63

Appendix C: Plants listed in the National Pest Plant Accord List

The National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA) is designed to prevent the sale, distribution and propagation of a set list of pest

plants (the Accord list) within New Zealand. If allowed to spread further, these pest plants could seriously damage the

New Zealand economy and environment. The NPPA is a cooperative agreement between:

• MPI

• New Zealand Plant Producers Incorporated (NZPPI)

• unitary and regional councils

• Department of Conservation.

All plants on the Accord list are among the plants on the list of ‘unwanted organisms’ specified under the Biosecurity Act

1993. This means they cannot be distributed or sold in New Zealand. The NPPA is used alongside other pest

management plans and strategies.

MPI consults with a group of key stakeholders and parties interested in the NPPA or the Accord list and the group is

updated when the Accord list changes. Anyone interested in the NPPA and the Accord list can sign up.

It should be noted that the Accord List is current at the time of printing this Plan and will be altered in the future.

The full list, further information, and updates on the list can be obtained directly from Ministry of Primary Industries or

by visiting their website on:

http://www.mpi.govt.nz/protection-and-response/long-term-pest-management/national-pest-plant-accord

http://www.mpi.govt.nz/protection-and-response/long-term-pest-management/national-pest-plant-accord

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